Veterans Have a Story to Tell

Getting the training to land a job in the entertainment industry is just the beginning of the journey for many of our veteran graduates. Our military and veteran students have amazing stories to tell from their real-life experiences and come to San Francisco Film School with the desire to learn how to express their ideas and stories through the medium of film. Under the mentorship of professional filmmakers, you’ll learn the essential core skills in screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, audio, and editing, in order to bring your story to life. In addition, you’ll also learn how the entertainment works and how best to succeed in your career goals.

I just want to compliment you guys for giving all these Vets a shot. As a Vet myself, I really appreciate it. They have so much on their minds and so much to say.

Vince DiPersio
Faculty Member, Academy-Award Nominated Filmmaker & Veteran

The more veterans can pick up a camera, pick up a pen and write a screenplay or a script, the more people can really understand who we are as people.

Keith Curry, Jr.
Veteran and Digital Filmmaking Program graduate

Hands-On Training to Make You Career Ready

Working in the film industry isn’t limited to actors, directors, and producers. With the right training and education, there are plenty of real opportunities for veterans to make a great living working in the entertainment industry. In fact, even entry-level film industry jobs pay significantly higher than traditional specialty skill trades like truck driving, or HVAC. Developing employable skills in the film business is no different than any other vocational trade. It can be learned by anyone willing to apply themselves, and there are many transferable skills from military experience such as: logistics, tactical planning, teamwork, time management, technical expertise, and much more.

Estimate Your Basic Allowance Housing Rates (BAH) While Attending the San Francisco Film School

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Filmmaking is a Skillset Anyone Can Learn

You will develop highly sought after skills by making your own films and working on set as a crew member. You will be taught using the most current professional gear and technology available. Our hands-on training and education program is designed to help you land a job in the film industry upon graduation.

Upon graduation, you’ll have the necessary skills to start a rewarding career in film through entry-level jobs like:

  • ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
  • CAMERA ASSISTANT
  • GRIP
  • ELECTRICS
  • ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
  • ASSISTANT EDITOR
  • SOUND RECORDIST
  • AND MORE!

Accredited School Accepting Military and Veteran Education Benefits

San Francisco Film School is approved to train veteran students by the California State Approving Agency for Veteran Education (CSAAVE). CSAAVE operates under contract with the US Department of Veteran Affairs under the authority of federal law. Title 38 U.S.C CSAAVE operates as part of the government of the State of California.
We honor the following educational benefits:

  • The Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
  • Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30)
  • Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31)
  • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) (Chapter 35)
  • Tuition Assistance (TA)
  • MyCAA: The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program
  • Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

This new program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

For full details on each program, please refer to the CSAAVE GI Bill® benefits overview page.

In some cases military educational benefits will not cover the entire cost of tuition. Eligibility and amount of active or reserve tuition assistance is determined by the branch of service. Students must independently apply for tuition assistance online with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VONAPP). All military students with a gap in tuition will need to secure the enrollment in congruence with school policies prior to starting class.

If you are a veteran or currently serving in the military and would like to attend any of our film school’s programs or workshops, please contact our Admissions Department to discuss options – 415.824.7000 or fill out the form on this page to find out more details on Military and Veteran Students. FilmSchoolSF is located in the heart of the Bay Area – downtown San Francisco.

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) Information

This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed either the annual maximum cap for private institutions or the resident tuition and fees for a public institution.

The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution.

The Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) must agree to:

  • Provide contributions to eligible individuals who apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program on a first-come first-served basis, regardless of the rate at which the individual is pursuing training in any given academic year.
  • Provide contributions during the current academic year and all subsequent academic years in which the IHL is participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program and the student maintains satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance;
  • Make contributions toward the program on behalf of the individual in the form of a grant, scholarship, etc;
  • State the dollar amount that will be contributed for each participant during the academic year;
  • State the maximum number of individuals for whom contributions will be made in any given academic year.